Director of Marketing

Terra Engineering Ltd•Chicago, IL

1d•$105,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Marketing provides strategic leadership for the firm’s marketing and business development functions, with direct management of a four-person team focused on proposal development, qualifications packages, and pursuit coordination across multiple engineering disciplines. This role aligns brand, pursuits, and client engagement strategies to drive sustainable growth, and serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, translating technical solutions into clear, compelling narratives that elevate the firm’s market position. The Director ensures consistency, operational efficiency, and scalability within the marketing function while fostering a culture grounded in excellence, integrity, stewardship, and collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism, or a related field.
8–12 years of progressive marketing experience, including at least 3 years in a leadership or people-management role.
Minimum of 5 years of experience within the A/E/C (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry.
Demonstrated experience managing proposal teams and responding to public-sector and private-sector solicitations.
In-depth knowledge of A/E/C procurement practices, including SF330, RFP/RFQ, and government solicitation formats.
Advanced capabilities in technical writing, proposal development, and marketing communications for a multi-discipline engineering audience.
Experience with go/no-go frameworks and pursuit pipeline management.
Familiarity with CRM and proposal management platforms such as Deltek Vision or equivalent systems.
Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain a small, high-output marketing team in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Strong skills in coaching, conflict resolution, and performance development.
Demonstrated ability to build trust and collaborate effectively with executives, technical staff, and external clients.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a focus on clarity, strategy, and impact.
High proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, including Word, PowerPoint, and Teams.
Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat); experience with visual storytelling techniques.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands and manage multiple active pursuits simultaneously.
High attention to detail and commitment to quality in all deliverables.
Strong presentation and public speaking capabilities.
Ability to maintain professional standards and adhere to firm health, safety, and operational requirements.

Nice To Haves

Business development or client relationship experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee the full proposal development lifecycle, including SF330s, RFP/RFQ responses, and qualifications packages across federal, state, and local procurement processes.
Partner with executive and operational leadership to identify strategic pursuits, guide go/no-go decisions, and position the firm for high-value opportunities.
Integrate marketing and business development efforts to strengthen pursuit strategies, improve win rates, and support seller-doer initiatives.
Translate technical project work into compelling, client-focused messaging that communicates value, impact, and differentiation.
Contribute directly to proposal production as needed to support critical, high-priority pursuits.
Directly manage, mentor, and develop a team of four marketing and proposal professionals; set clear performance goals, conduct regular reviews, and build individual growth plans.
Recruit, onboard, and retain high-performing team members; make staffing and resource allocation decisions within the department.
Support employee development through ongoing coaching, constructive feedback, and recognition of achievements.
Lead interdisciplinary collaboration across practice groups to support pursuit planning, client engagement, and firmwide initiatives.
Develop and execute marketing strategies aligned with firmwide growth objectives, revenue targets, and priority markets.
Oversee the quality and continuous improvement of all marketing materials, including proposals, qualifications packages, and brand assets.
Leverage market research, industry trends, and emerging technologies to inform strategy and maintain a forward-looking marketing approach.
Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and industry stakeholders to support long-term growth.
Implement scalable systems, tools, and workflows that enhance efficiency, consistency, and data-driven decision-making.
Perform additional duties as assigned.